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She holds my gaze, a curious expression on her face. She studies me for a second before continuing her tour. She flicks the light on in the master bathroom and gasps again.

“It’s completely unfair that you have a bathroom this glamorous. This space is wasted on a man. Have you ever even used that bathtub?!”

I stand next to her in the doorway of the large bathroom. The refurbished claw-foot tub is polished to perfection along with the marble floors. There’s a massive steam shower also, that shoots water out in all directions, and everything has the same gold hardware as the rest of my house.

“I have, actually. Soaking in a hot epsom salt bath is great for relaxing sore muscles,” I admit. “But I definitely prefer the shower.”

She glances from my bare feet to my torso, then back up to my face. Her cheeks turn bright red. The topic of bathing is obviously making her uncomfortable, or embarrassed? I take a few steps back and she follows, turning the bathroom light off as she leaves the room.

Next, she walks over to my dresser where my old laptop rests. She turns to look at me with a bemused expression. “Despite that big bank account, you still have this ancient laptop?

“It’s special.” I put my hands in my pockets, feeling nervous.

Her eyes narrow. “How so?”

I swallow slowly and take a deep breath.“Because I saved the video you sent me on that laptop.”

Her eyes snap open in surprise and her demeanor changes. Gone is the relaxed Melanie, and in her place is anxious Melanie.

“But, why?” she asks, her voice thick with emotion.

Taking a step closer to her, I answer, “Because I was in love with you too. I always have been.”

The air between us feels heavy with the unsaid words and feelings of years past. A tear streams down her face and I take two large strides so I’m standing in front of her. I raise my hand to brush the tear from her cheek and, to my surprise, she lets me.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MELANIE

Holding West’s intense gaze, another tear slips free. “Why did you lie to me?”

I hear him sigh heavily. “Besides the stupid pact Harrison and I made?” He pauses and I turn to look at him. “Something Harrison said that day confirmed all my deepest fears, and I convinced I’d be no good for you.”

“What did he say?”

“It was right after your appendectomy. Harrison mentioned how upset you were that you couldn’t swim. He said with your anxiety, you’d need to be with someone who provided a lot of stability and structure to your life.” He drags one hand down his face like he’s frustrated with himself. “You always thrived on consistency, and I knew if I played hockey professionally, I couldn’t give you that.”

My eyebrows draw together, taking in his words.

West starts again. “Once I was drafted, I still had feelings for you, so I put even more distance between us.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. My body feels rigid and awkward as I absorb all of this new information. “Wow, teenage boys are really stupid,” is all I can manage to say.

He huffs out a nervous laugh, but there’s not humor in it. “You’re not wrong. But teenage Weston convinced himself you’d be miserable with me and I’d lose my best friend.”

He sighs and takes my hand in his. His large hand envelopes mine. “I adored your video, Mel. It’s embarrassing how many times I’ve watched it. I’m so sorry for hurting you. I’ve long since realized I should’ve given you the chance to decide whether or not my career would be too much for you.”

“Yeah, you should’ve,” I tell him, trying to smile as I say it but failing.

“I see you now, living in a completely new city, and thriving. I was wrong to assume what you could or could not.” He brings his hand up to cradle my cheek. “I know I hurt you, but I want to earn your trust back. If you’ll give me the chance to.”

I’m too overwhelmed with emotion to respond. Not just about him wanting to give this a chance, but that he lied to me about his feelings and assumed I was weak. I’m so angry, and yet, I can’t think with him this close to me.

Stepping away from him, I turn towards the steps. “I can’t even think right now, West. I’m so…” I grind my teeth together to keep my voice from rising. “I’m so angry with you.”

He gazes down at his feet, looking ashamed.

A few seconds of silence passes before he adds, “Listen, I know this is a lot to wrap our mind around. I have an early flight in the morning; we have two away games on the west coast.” He pauses as if thinking of what to say. “Take some time to think, take all the time you need. And let me know if we can give this a chance? If you can forgive me?”